>> stephen: hello! [crowd chanting stephen's name] [cheers and applause] welcome to the report. thank you for joining us, everybody. folks, thank you so much. i gotta say -- [cheers and applause] thank you. folks, i gotta say you may know this already but people ask me all the time and you chanting my name, stephen, stephen, i think is my favorite karaoke song. [ laughter ] the romney ryan ticket is firing on all cylinders which say huge improvement for mitt who was previously just firing people. [ laughter ]

now he's got the edge heading into tonight's all important presidential debate. into that unlike obama he was there for the first time. [ laughter ] we're taping this show, my show right now ahead of time so i don't know who won but i'm guessing mitt. because the venue was in nassau county, new york, just an average town of average americans earning an average income of $91,000 almost twice the national average. mitt can really relate to people making.91,000 a year. he does that every day. no one tell me what happens. i'm going to watch it on cnn later. we've got this great new way to focus on what the candidates are saying. >> cnn.com has very cool technology, by the way that lets you share your favorite moments. alex explained it to brook

baldwin. >> if i hit clip and share off the homepage it grabs the moment that just happened. look, this is the moment in the moment inside the moment, right. >> alex, get out of here. >> isn't it hot. i hit share on facebook. >> because what i love about watching the debates now is i'm texting, tweeting. and people are saying did you see that moment when he said this, you show them. >> you can show them the moment. >> very cool technology. >> stephen: thank you wolf for sharing that moment with me of alex within the moment with brook a moment ago. [cheers and applause] if only -- isn't it cool? [cheers and applause] if only there was some way for people to capture this moment of me enjoying that moment. [camera sound] oh, wow, wow! wow, i've got to tweet this

moment at wolf. hashtag filling air time. [ laughter ] there you go. all right. now, folks it's the time of year again when skeletal figures shrouded in black fill your mind with feemple the supreme court is in session. -- with fear because the supreme court is in session. the big case is fisher v university of texas. >> a decade ago the court ruled that race could be used as a factor granting college admission. today a new supreme court heard a challenge to that which could change the law of the land on affirmative action. >> affirmative action will return to the supreme court docket. it involves a white student female who claims affirmative action was the reason she was shut out at the university of texas. >> for the first time to in ten years the justices are weighing the question: has affirmative

action run its course? >> yes, because discrimination is over. just look at cnn. they employ on all talent from all ethnicities and backgrounds and that's just soledad o'brien. the student denied admission to the university of texas claims her race was held against her forcing her toll attend louisiana state university. folks, there's no greater injustice than having to attend your safety school. [ laughter ] i was devastated when i had to go to dartmouth instead of my first choice hogwarts. [cheers and applause] i mean they never -- [ laughter ] they never even responded to my application owl probably because he was white. [ laughter ] but nation --

[cheers and applause] but nation, it looks like affirmative action's days are numbered because chief justice robert has a history of opposing these terrible quotas he said the way to stop discrimination on the basis of race is to stop discriminating on the basis of race. yeah, everybody just knock it off. the american people don't need a law to stop them from discriminating. give them a chance and they'll do it on their own. that's why lincoln issued the emancipation suggestion. [ laughter ] hopefully, folks -- hopefullies -- we'll get a supreme court ruling that leads to a more equal world aim post racial met your ok casey where no one is given an advantage because of skin color where in the institutions only the cream of crop is chosen and the race of the students does not matter anymore because everyone will be

asian. [ laughter ] folks, that is the final word on this subject. here to say more final words on it, please welcome legal expert and senior research fellow at yale law school. thank you so much. good to see you. [cheers and applause] okay. good many to see you again. first things first, okay? hold on. are you white? okay. i have to ask. i don't see race. not even my own. >> i was going to ask you. >> stephen: people tell me i'm white and i believe them because i look both ways before i talk about race. okay? all right. how does the law stand right now in this case? if the obama girls were amying to the university of texas would they get preferential placement because of race? >> the thing about them is you could imagine them having an

advantage in admission because they are celebrity kids. >> stephen: just imagine just their father had nuclear weapons. african-american kids get placement under these rules? >> not necessarily. it's one of personal attributes the school can take into account. they don't have to favor an african-american wealthy public can't. >> stephen: what is this girl complaining about? >> she said it happened to her because it's possible race is in the mix for some of the kids who got in and she did not. >> stephen: what are the factors legacy, if your dad gave a library. >> community service, leadership, socioeconomic background. you have to write he ises is a. there's a long list of things. >> stephen: how do you think it's going to go? >> i don't think it's going to go well for university of texas and affirmative action because justice kennedy seemed

skeptical. and he was worried about privileged african-americans getting a legup over poorer white students. >> stephen: there are only eight justices because kagan recused herself. why? >> presumably she worked on the case but she didn't tell us why. >> stephen: shouldn't sotomayor take themselves out of it because they are minorities? jewish people have had a rough time, too. the irish 100 years ago need not apply along with italians. shouldn't it just be roberts deciding this case? >> doesn't he have the most skin in the game because if you get rid of affirmative action that benefits more white people. >> stephen: yeah but that's how it always has been. doesn't that seem the most american? >> historically you are probably

right. >> stephen: white man is neutral. uncle sam default americans. >> this isn't true. >> stephen: his you on the ropes. i almost made you a jewish woman admit i more american than you are. >> we live in a melting pot immigrant filled society with all races and we want to keep it that way. >> stephen: if affirmative action is over turned what is going to the be the greatest effect of that? >> we would hope that schools would start taking more socioeconomics into account and using thats away toy continue to have poor students come into school. >> stephen: that's about class. >> that is class but there will be fewer african-american and hispanic students admitted. >> stephen: so we could be in a class war. >> i hope not. >> stephen: we've been in a race war. >> you are inviting a class war? >> stephen: i'm not inviting it. i want to know what war i'll be into.

i would be tbhrt a race war than a class war because i'm in the top 1% and that's a minority. but in a race war i'm in the majority. >> that's still true but not for that long. >> stephen: really? >> yeah. >> stephen: can we have a supreme court case about that? >> about having more white people have a higher birth rate? i don't think sox we'll continue to be more and more diverse. it's a good thing. >> stephen: i believe that all people regardless of race, creed or color have the right to be saddled with crushing student debt for the rest of their lives. please come back. we'll be right back. thanks, emily. [cheers and applause] [cheers an]

>> stephen: welcome back everybody. thank you so much. folks, tonight, of course is without any doubt in my heart sure to be mitt romney's triumph but let's not forget the important contribution made by his youthful ward paul ryan and on saturday ryan did it again. >> vice presidential candidate paul ryan came to northeast ohio. he visit aid soup cich money in youngstown. as the family washed dishes at the kitchen. >> stephen: forget atlas shrugs this weekend atlas

scrubs. and here is the thing, how did the charity thank ryan? with a steaming ladle of complaints. >> the romney campaign is on defense over this paul ryan photo op at a soup kitchen. >> the president of the charity said the campaign quote ramrodded their way in so ryan could get his picture taken while washing dishes. the photo op they did was not accurate. he did nothing. he came in here to get the picture taken at the dining hall. >> stephen: yes, accord twoafght paul ryan showed up for 15 minutes at a soup kitchen after the patrons had left and washed pots and pans that did not appear to be dirty. [ laughter ] now, folks, that may sound pointless but remember he's running for vice president. [ laughter ] ladies and gentlemen, it wasn't the most embarrassing photo of

ryan we've seen lately. ryan is following his bosses lead. last week mitt paid a visit to the soup cich china is the special kitchen in his house that makes only soup. [ laughter ] it's right next -- it's right next to the saltine bakery so they are fresh. [ laughter ] the dining hall's coordinator piled on adding it was quote the phoniest piece of baloney i've ever been associated with which is saying a lot considering the quality of baloney that is generally served at soup kitchens. but i believe there's nothing to see here, folks. ryan's townhall ran a little late sew missed homeless breakfast. what was he supposed to do charity on the needy schedule? sometimes that's not possible. take me i'm a busy man but i like to be photographed appearing to help others so once a month after this show ends at

midnight i chug a five hour energy and go to the nursing home and break out old alto sax and start wailing. [cheers and applause] i don't want to brag but i'm something of a miracle working. some of them jump out the bed for the first time in years. don't fault ryan here, folks. i say he is the victimment and i have i message for those so quick to judge this good man. [ laughter ] hi i'm stephen colbert with save the candidates. this is paul. some day he wants it be vice president of the united states. but he needs your help. for just a few minutes a day you can provide paul with the photo

ops he desperately needs to look like he cares. anything you give will help. a handful of orphans to stand near. a disabled vet to wave at. even a homeless man to pet. won't you call now and help this young man live up to his dreams of cutting all your government funding. [ laughter ] we'll be right back. [cheers and applause]

[cheers and applause] >> stephen: welcome back, everybody. my guest tonight is the mayor of newark, new jersey. i made him take a connecting flight through chicago. please welcome cory booker. [cheers and applause] boom! mayor booker good to see you again. >> good to see you. >> stephen: good to see you again. >> great to be here. >> stephen: a ward you my coveted alpha dog of the week. >> yes. >> stephen: for running into a burning building. >> yes you also put me on your list of threats to america because i wanted to eat america because of its racial deliciousness. >> stephen: that was a while ago. that was the night obama was nominated, you sir, did lick your chops and say the racial deliciousness. >> glad i made it from a threat to an alpha dog.

>> stephen: you're welcome. my worry is why are you in my studio? am i on fire? is this place about to collapse? >> in new jersey you are hot. so yes, yes. >> stephen: thank you very much. what i love but going in and doing those city service jobs. you shostled a driveway that was complaining it shows we don't need big government we need one very committed mayor. how is newark? >> doing extraordinarily well. we're in the biggest economic development period since the 1950's. companies are coming in from pana sonic moving the headquarters. 1,000 employees, to the global headquarters to manechevitz. >> stephen: you have the worst wine on planet earth coming -- mazel. >> can i get it to you wholesale if you would like.

>> stephen: thank you very much. what do you think happened at the first debate for your friend barack obama? were you tempted to go in there and fire him and carry him out of there. his campaign was burning down last week. i think that we in in this sliermt of american idol we get focused on form and not as much on the substance. i think the president was right on substance. >> stephen: and that what leadership is about? there's a reason the king wears a crown and not a dust rag. he has to have the right idea but also has to look the part. >> before there was a tv some of the greatest presidents, we had a guy in a wheelchair -- one of most extraordinary presidents -- >> stephen: i don't believe you. >> i want a president who is going to stand up for all americans, value things like education, investment in infrastructure that knows america has to continue to move forward on what made america great in the past.

this is why i believe barack obama is the guy. debate performance or not i believe he has been the right president for america. [cheers and applause] >> stephen: okay. but are the democrats the right party for america? i ask -- you were on the democratic national committee's platform committee. >> i cochaired the committee. >> stephen: you cochaired the committee. why was the word god not included in the platform? and is that what is happening to the campaign right now. god is striking him down? >> i know i'm praying i would survive the interview. the reality is religion was in there. faith was in there. we had a section in. there we're a nation of many faiths. the democratic party platform which actually made a very big section about us being inclusive, about us being a faith driven society and favoring faith based programs. if you read the document, don't

get carried away in the sound bites. we live in a political environment where sound bites and half truths take the day in the substance of the matter. i wanted to serve on the committee because i'm about ideas. this democratic party platform has sound ideas. i read the republican party platform. they talked about exploring and going back to the gold standard. >> without gold our money is worthless. if you want to pay for a latte at starbucks bring your brick of gold and a nutmeg grater. you have an idea. waywire.com. why are you a mayor engaging in entrepreneurship? >> i believe we have a problem. the voices of the american citizens is not piercing the noise of owl garky of media. video content is going big on the internet. >> stephen: no offense but we

have the youtube. >> it's incredible but you need to find the video content important to you and -- >> stephen: they have a search bar. no offense. toss them i'll knock them down now. >> way wear say platform for people when are passionate issues and want to discover information about the issues they are passionate about but it gives them a chance to the contribute to the dialog in a way that elegantly fits on top of the social media stream. >> stephen: it's video comown case and activism at the same time. >> very good. >> stephen: that's one of those sound bites you don't like. [ laughter ] thank you sox newark new ú?úfrbzczc-1q@4.-x [cheers and applause]

>> stephen: that's it for the report, everybody. good night. [cheers and applause]